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The Soju Sessions

A (Korea-focused) expat podcast covering everything from socio-economics to the sh*te we've searched on Chat GPT over the course of any given week.

A podcast by expats, for expats.

https://www.instagram.com/thesojusessionspodcast/

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20 episodes
monthly
Avg 1 hr 3 min
English

Episodes 20

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S3 · E11
July 1 · 1 hr 14 min
Episode 111: Korea's World Cup performance, people who publicise good deeds and foreigners being eligible for public office, plus much more...
In this week’s (month’s/quarter’s) episode, we dig into Korea’s performance at the World Cup, the Iran v Egypt Pride match and a long-standing debate around who is the best Korean footballer of all time, Son Heung-Min or Park Ji-Sung. We also discuss a developing Korea, Japan and Philippines alliance, people (and corporations) who publicise good deeds and JungKook’s stalker. Loads more in this one too, including the Kim lineage north of the border, foreigners being eligible for public office, socialist ideals, and the apparent death of Korea’s fabled drinking culture, and loads more.
S3 · E10
April 15 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 110: Yoon in prison, Lee upsetting Israel, the Middle East conflict and much more
In this month’s episode, we discuss the BTS comeback gig, Yoon’s prison life and old people being banned from public transport in rush hour. There’s also talk about President Lee’s recent comments on Israel, Japan’s imperialist ideologies, Koreans saying ‘I Love You’ and the Kim Dynasty. Loads more too this month, including (but not limited to) how the Middle East conflict is affecting Korea, the UK’s absurd economic and extremist policies, K-pop marketing and an asylum seeker held in Incheon airport for 14 months.
S3 · E9
March 3 · 1 hr 16 min
Episode 109: Yoon's life sentence (and the Epstein files), Stray Kids, Korea at the Olympics, the behaviour of Chinese tourists, Dokdo and much more
In this month’s episode, we discuss Yoon’s recent life sentence, the Epstein files (and a notorious former resident of Cheongju), and people on death row (not the rap label). We also get into the IOC messing up the Korean flag (and playing the wrong national anthems), Stray Kids and effeminate Korean men, Ssireum and Korea’s Winter Olympic performance. Loads more too, including the behaviour of Chinese tourists, a potential solution for Dokdo, and the recent South Korea v SE Asia arguments. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S3 · E8
January 19 · 1 hr 8 min
Episode 108: Our recent feature in a BBC article, the return of BTS, Yoon's sentencing and loads more.
In this week’s (month’s ?) episode, we discuss our recent appearance in one of the world’s foremost media outlets, President Yoon’s sentencing, the exploitative practices of Chaebols, and BTS’s return (and the delusion of some of their fans). We also get into the Trump administration recently acknowledging kimchi as a superfood, a Korean mum jailed for stealing test papers, fruit prices and the lack of football talent in Korea. Loads more too, including a recent fire in a Gangnam slum, conscription in England, gay dating shows and marital expectations in Korea. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.
S3 · E7
Dec 12, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Episode 107: Falling asleep on the Seoul Subway, people who get in the lift to go down one floor and Nuns and Priests running schools, plus loads more.
In this week’s episode, we discuss recent happenings on the Korean peninsula, including ciggie-style warning on soju, falling asleep on the Seoul subway and low-skilled workers having to show complete deference to everyone in Korean society. We also talk about Josh’s weird behaviour-management techniques, recent ChatGPT searches, the division of India and Pakistan, and Nuns and Priests being the very last people suited to running schools (we never quite know where these conversations will go). Loads more too, including people who get in the lift to go down one floor, a Jeonbuk Motors coach being banned for racial gestures, Dad Heung-Min, Hongdae Man and foreign property ownership in Korea. Oh, and Turkey teeth. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S3 · E6
Nov 22, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Episode 106: The Suneung, Korea's crackdown on foreign content creators and plans to introduce male students into women's only univesities
In this week’s episode, we discuss Josh’s reverse culture shock now that he’s back in England, the Suneung and the absolutely horrible questions Korean kids have to deal with, as well as Chat GPT potentially diminishing the need for language acquisition. We also talk about the Korean government recently giving off North Korea vibes with the announcement that they're cracking down on foreign content creators slagging them off, defamation laws in Korea, and nuclear submarines. Loads more too, this week, including drones dropping gear into nick, chaebol nepotism, the recovery of a 600-year-old ship off the Korean coast, more ket turning up on Jeju beaches, and men potentially being allowed to study in female-only universities. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S3 · E5
Oct 18, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Episode 105: K-Pop fellas' extracurricular activities & K-Pop fans , ket in Jeju & fellas who split up with famous wives ($$$), plus loads more
In this week’s episode, we begin with news of a bit of recognition from none other than broadcasting royalty, the BBC (courtesy of Josh). We then discuss things like tattooing finally being legal now in Korea, and a shout out to an old friend, marriage expectations, and men claiming money from famous wives when they get divorced. We also discuss the backlash you receive if you ever say anything about K-pop fellas that could be perceived as negative, the recent suicide of a Korean author, and loads of ket washing up on a Korean beach. Loads more too this week, as we get into Trump and Korea, comfort women, anti-China sentiment in Korea, shirtless running in Seoul and a rant (again) about Spotify playlists.
S3 · E4
Oct 5, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 104: Koreans arrested by ICE, K-pop Demon Hunter, obesity in Korea & "cultural appropriation"
In this week’s episode (recorded a couple of weeks ago), we discuss Josh’s reverse culture shock as he re-adapts to life in England, dealing with differentiation in class, the lack of a need for discussion about objective issues in class and the results of our white supremacy/parasol poll. We also discuss the recent issue of Koreans being arrested by ICE, people overstaying visas in various places, the contrast between Koreans driving and Koreans face-to-face, and the historic abductions of Korean children being sent to America for adoption. Loads more this week, too, as we get into current parallels to 1984, PE teachers not being real teachers, winter World Cups, obesity in Korea and a rant about cultural appropriation, too. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S3 · E3
Aug 8, 2025 · 1 hr
Episode 103: Using a parasol being linked to white supremacy, Son Heung-Min & cutting willies off for cheating
In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea that Koreans using a parasol is (somehow) linked to white supremacy, Korea’s greatest ever footballer, Son Heung-Min, calling it a day on his Spurs career and whether or not he makes it into the top-25 Premier League attackers of all time. We also talk about a recent Han River monster sighting, Korea’s ageing population increasingly turning to suicide and the conclusion of a decades-long case of a woman biting the tongue off her attacker. Loads more too, this week, including cutting willies off for cheating, a K-pop singer going down for rape and driving/parking etiquette. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it. #seoul #korea #expatskorea #britsinkorea #parasol #racism #racisiminkorea #sonheungmin #spurs #premierleague #hanriver #seamonster #ageingkorea #suicide #suicidekorea #selfdefence #kpop #kpoprapist #drivinginkorea #bts #koreanculture #korea4expats #itaewon #hongdae #koreanstyle #koreanpolitics #koreanfood #hallyu #southkorea
S3 · E2
Jul 26, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Episode 102: Stealing the Sunenug, Anti-Immigration & the Asian "Hierarchy"
In this episode, we dig into gig culture in the UK (v Korea) after Josh's trip home to see Oasis, defend British food and a warning from Josh's Grandad re: trans women. We also discuss overzealous parents stealing the Suneung test, Korea's rainy season and the country's strong anti-immigration stance. There's also bits and pieces about Government stipends, Koreans in the Asian hierarchy, Park Chung-Hee's assassination (spoiler alert: it was his best mate) and a touch of probability for the maths fans out there. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.
S3 · E1
Jul 1, 2025 · 58 min
Episode 101: Korean Goalkeepers, $1 Bills in Plastic Bottles, and How to Kill 500 of Any Species
After a considerable amount of time off, we're back with an all-new format for season 3! Heading off in a new direction, we will be reviewing the weekly (or bi-weekly) news happenings in Korea. Think of it like a tasteless Korean dispatches or gonzo "journalism" at its finest. This week, we report back on what the listeners would put in their Korean Room 101 before discussing the fabled Korean norae bus, setting a subway car on fire and some good news for K-League Football Manager players. We also talk Squid Game 3, propaganda speakers and shit balloons, and an absolutely mental story about American Jesus enthusiasts trying to send rice and dollar bills to North Korea via the sea. Loads more too, including a shout out for The North Sentinelese, Korea's stand-up scene and the best way to kill half a million of any species. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.
May 25, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 100: All About the Podcast So Far
In this week's milestone instalment, we salute our soju family - anyone who's listened to even one episode so far. We also discuss the (often lengthy) editing process (thanks to the mental tangents we've been known to go off on, that should never see the light of day), plus the vastly eclectic mix of guests we've had on so far. We also discuss the lessons we've learned, the difficulties of starting a (niche) podcast, as well as the things we've learned along the way. There's plenty more on offer too this week, as we bring back a much-loved segment - the absolute drivel we've searched on Chat GPT the past few weeks, as well as Josh's showering procedure and the different perspectives we might now have on Korea because of doing this podcast. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.
S2 · E59
May 4, 2025 · 58 min
Episode 99 with Jamie Finn
In this week’s (delayed) episode, we speak to music writer (and fellow Scouser) Jamie Finn about northerners in Korea tending to gravitate towards each other, heading to the peninsula for an adventure, basically not knowing anything about it and writing about the local Korean music scene through multiple outlets. We also discuss the evolution of music and events in Korea (and the beginnings of nonconformity), starting his own magazines, gentrification and its effects on the local culture (mainly in HBC), and the Busan music scene compared to Seoul There’s plenty more this week, including (but not limited to) iconic Liverpool institution, The Krazyhouse, Robbie and Barry from Eastenders (we never quite know where these conversations will turn), Korean societal problems and the differences in gig culture between Korea and the West. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.
S2 · E58
Apr 8, 2025 · 50 min
Episode 98: How Not to Run a Korean Hagwon
In this week’s episode we get into the weeds and discuss how NOT to run an English academy in Korea, following a very bad recent experience. We chat about closing the door on Korea for good, Korea losing its appeal due to inflation and saving potential, and the idea that everyday things like fruit are now a bit of a luxury. We also get into signing a contract before seeing the apartment (don’t EVER do that), hagwon bosses expecting you to live in an unfurnished shoebox and calling out greed/penny-pinching within the teaching industry. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it (link in stories) #korea #korealife #korea4expats #expatsinkorea #expatlife #expatkorea #seoullife #seoul4expats #koreanculture #koreansociety #hagwon #koreanhagwon #seoulhagwon #inflation #expensivefruit #hagwonhorror #greed #pennypinching #wonjangnim #oneroom #koreanapartment #prison #shoebox #gettofuck #koreaneducation #instagood #f4f #cheongju4life #suwon #seoul
S2 · E57
Mar 21, 2025 · 58 min
Episode 97 with Blair Naujok (Korean Image)
WE BACK! First and foremost, apologies for the delay in episodes; it wasn’t planned. Been a pretty turbulent past month or so with moving back to Korea only to find out the job/apartment wasn’t quite what was expected, but more on that in our special next weekend. In THIS WEEK’s episode, we speak to the founder of Korean Image (Instagram), Blair Naujok. But before we proceed any further, we should first apologise to Blair for sitting on this episode for so long (this was recorded over a month ago), whilst simultaneously thanking him for the postcards with Korean images on which he sent to both me and Josh - a lovely touch. This episode touches on how the archive first came about, Blair’s family history and viewing 50s and 60s Korea in colour for the first time. We also discuss a positive aspect of COVID (the birth of the archive), expanding and categorising the archive and contributing to various exhibitions. Of course, there’s loads more in this one, including (but not limited to) understanding heritage through photos, immigration and acceptance, and future plans for the archive. Something for everyone. Get on it. #seoul #korea #sojusessions #korea4expats #kwave #koreansociety #korealife #koreanculture #koreamilitary #koreanwar #koreanimmigrant #expatsinkorea #expatkorea #expatlife #koreanpolitics #hallyu #koreanimage #photography #traditionalkorea #usmilitary #colourphotography #historicalphotography #imagearchive #koreaincolor #50skorea #60skorea #koreaexhibition #koreanheritage
Feb 21, 2025 · 49 min
Episode 96 with Joon-Young from Mad Korean Class (Part 2)
In the second part of Joon-Young’s #sojusessions we discuss alternate things for expats to do (not just go drinking in Itaewon or Hongdae), the differences between the mentality of Koreans in small-town Korea (Cheongju) and Seoul, Koreans persistently comparing themselves to one another, and Koreaboos searching for oppa. We also get into Korea’s collective society system, Asian fear of the dreaded Westerner, the future of Joon-Young’s Mad Korean Class, as well as some solid advice for learning Korean.
Feb 10, 2025 · 49 min
Episode 95 with Joon-Young from Mad Korean Class (Part 1)
In this week’s episode, we speak to Joon-Young from Mad Korean Class (craziest Korean class in Sinchon). We discuss the tactics of Hongdae F-Boys (including some pretty debatable pickup lines), Koreaboos, leaving home for the States at 16 as an exchange student and dealing with bullies. We also get into the perceptions young Koreans have of Westerners (before meeting any), some differences between Western and Korean teenagers and strategies for fitting in when studying abroad. Plenty more, too, this week, including (but not limited to) cultural differences between American and British high schools, reasons for starting Mad Korean Class and the differences in language-learning approaches between Koreans and Westerners. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S2 · E54
Jan 26, 2025 · 50 min
Episode 94 with Matt Phillips (Part 2)
In the second part of Matt's #sojusessions, we discuss what Trump's policies towards the Korean peninsula might be, Obama being misportrayed as a saint and Westerners finding a purpose in Korea (and becoming better). We also talk about Korea being a second home to many ex-pats, homelessness in Korea (versus the West), young Koreans missing out on life experiences by living at home until they get married and the military toughening up young Korean men.
S2 · E53
Jan 13, 2025 · 45 min
Episode 93 with Matt Phillips (Part 1)
This week, we speak to one of the Cheongju old guard, Matt Phillips, about ex-pats possibly thinking a little too highly of Busan, small-town vs. big-city Korea, and Cheongju being the Wild West back in the mid-2000s. We also discuss the difference between Korea now and two decades ago, Yoon’s failed war plans, the K-wave boom, and the rise of democracy in Korea. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.
S2 · E52
Jan 5, 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
Episode 92: All About Dubai Vs Seoul
In this week's episode, we mix it up a touch and look at the differences between Dubai and Seoul for expats. As you might imagine, there's a lot to get through, including (but not limited to) officials stopping workers from going to the beach (in Dubai), the eclectic mix of people who live in Dubai and expat kids who've grown up there. There's also bits and pieces about the cost of living (mental), having to download an app for everything and everyone trying to rip you off. Loads more too this week, including wearing £500 sunglasses indoors, the never-ending stream of traffic fines and some of the grotesque things Westerners with too much money get up to. There truly is something for everyone this week. Get on it.

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